Stalking Isn't Romantic

Somewhere along the way, stalking got rebranded as devotion.The guy who won’t take no for an answer? “Persistent.”The guy who shows up everywhere? “Passionate.”The guy who watches from a distance? “Protective.”But in real life, stalking isn’t romantic — it’s dangerous.In this episode of Sitting in the Dark, Maci unpacks how movies, media, and even trending dark romance narratives can blur the lines between fantasy and harmful behavior. She explores the difference between fictional tropes and real-world power and control, discusses what stalking actually looks like, and explains why normalization can put survivors at risk.Fantasy is controlled. Real stalking is not.If you’ve ever wondered where the line really is — this conversation is for you.As always, this episode discusses sensitive topics related to stalking and sexual violence. Please listen with care.